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from Rachel Smith and discounts from other orga- nizations. Camp Acacia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accepts donations. While Camp Acacia looks like your average summer camp; children are walking away with a holistic under - standing of how to perform the activities they partake in. For example, when campers go swimming, they learn what's appropriate to do and say in a dressing room, what pool safety is and how to swim. Smith said she hopes if a camper comes their first year, their second year they will be building on the principles they learned the previous summer and "get better and better every year." The weekly camps are broken down by age and functioning level, Smith said. Each week is named after Smith's African in - spiration from her family's work in the country. Each camp also has a its own camper-to-counselor ratio, influenced by func- tioning level. One week may have three camp- ers to one counselor, where another week may have one camper to one counselor to facilitate whatever needs they may have. That's not including the overall structure of the counseling tiers, which also include 10 activ - ity counselors and a head counselor. Even though the camp is in its first operating year, Smith has high hopes for where it could go. "I want to be the best in the country at doing this thing we're doing," she said. "What matters to me the most at the end of the day is that the kids that we serve end up being able to engage their communities through recreation. That they end up being able to live big, full, amazing lives that aren't just work and home." Camp Acacia will be serving campers through July 26 and will open for its 2020 season next June. Throughout the year the camp will also host Camp Acacia Explorer, a program geared toward hosting events in different com - munities across Northwest Arkansas that will help campers apply what they learned at camp in the real world. Smith also intends on hosting parties around Halloween and Christmas that will bring local camp - ers back together and con- tinue to apply what they've learned. More information can be found at campacacia.org. Siloam Proud 12C n Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Siloam Springs Herald-Leader The Chamber of Commerce began in the 1930's and has promoted the businesses of Siloam Springs ever since. With over 475 members, your success is our priority in everything the Chamber does and offers. You can benefit from our great resources and connections for your businesses, entrepreneurs, residents, and visitors. The Chamber is proud to be a part of your Siloam Springs business community for 89 years! We appreciate YOU, our members and volunteers for supporting us in the things we provide, such as First Friday Coffee, Dogwood Festival, Discover Siloam Springs, and our many other events. Let us help you become the best business you can be! Sierra Bush/Herald-Leader Camp Acacia founder Rachel Smith, left, takes a photo with her phone of a camper, right, after he caught a fish. Smith founded the camp in 2018 as a personal project to create a summer camp experience for children with mental, physical and emotional disabilities. Smith says recreational therapy experiences like this teach children with "diverse abilities" how to interact in their communities and live more active lifestyles. smith Continued from Page 8C Help save our planet